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“Then you will just have to find me a position at your offices I won’t be paid to be your mistress I don’t care what the job position is I’ll file mail, copy documents, fetch coffee for people — I do not care I absolutely won’t do nothing more than sit around a paid-for hootiable ”
Ari hadn’t realized howto him with her words She needed this job to behis personal sex slave — she needed to earn her paycheck through actual work, not on her back If she’d known the desperate sound of her voice, she would have put her armor back in place In no way did she want him to see her as weak, show his into She felt her best defense was to have an impeccable offense and show not one iota of weakness to him
Her sh, even if she didn’t realize it Seeing her so exposed ate away at Rafe’s conscience —a conscience
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“Fine I’ll find a position in the Palazzo offices that will allow you to be available to me at all times I’ll have to speak to Mario about it ”
Ari was surprised at hoilling he was to co to see victory in his dark eyes, but she was greeted only by a blank stare What had she gotten herself into? In what universe did she believe she could coainst Rafe?
Heher some concessions, but he was the chaance left no doubt about that Ari ht hate him, but she was reminded in this moment of the thin line between love and hate This man had the power to break her in two It would take everything inside her not to allow that to happen
Chapter Two
“We need to get seated We’ll discuss this more out front ” Rafe didn’t wait to see whether Ari would follow him If he hesitated, he would show her a crack in his ariven in too much today
Making his way to his seat, Rafe heard the gentle sound of Ari’s breathing as she followed behind His afternoon hadn’t gone the way he’d planned, but then again, he really hadn’t knohether she would stay or go Not knowing the outco the anticipation of awaiting her ansas a shocking exhilaration He couldn’t deny, even to hirateful she was still there
“I’ll serve drinks once we’re safely in the air,” the flight attendant said aftersure that he and Ari were belted in, and then left the down the runway, Rafe turned to gaze at Ari as she looked out the s Her shoulders reh
“We’ll go over my expectations of you ”
Warily, Ari turned and looked at hilanced back out the s escape Soon they’d be high in the air, with the only way down a long, long jump
Rafe penetrated her thoughts, and satisfaction filled hiht where he wanted — at least for now
“I think that’s a good idea,” she finally answered
“Good There’s no use in sidestepping the issues, so we ht into it I’ve already made concessions for you There are certain areas in which I’ to compromise You should consider yourself lucky that I’ve been as lenient as I have ”
“Are you kiddinglenient, I’d really hate to learn what strict means in your vocabulary ”
“Can you for once engage in a rational discussion without a smart-ass response?” he asked in frustration If he’d been the type to pull out his hair — no, he didn’t want to think about it At least Ari kept quiet for thelook she sent Rafe’s way didn’t escape his notice If ever a wo he’d like to think about
“Fine I’ll listen, but I just want to say it’s under duress If you were a decent et all about this ”
It was a good thing he’d never claiinning about who he was and what he wanted The only way he’d departed fro after her
“Of course you can go All you have to do is tell your mother that when she finally leaves the hospital next week, she won’t have a home or a business to return to ” Why let Ari know that he liked Sandra and would have given both to her no matter what Ari chose to do now? “You and I both know that I’ it Most of all, I expect obedience I’hly satisfied — you already know that quite well I also have a healthy appetite — probably more than you do — and will expect you to be prepared for that, day or night ”
“Please! Do you have to talk like that?”
Rafe lifted an eyebrow, smirked briefly, and then continued in a businesslike tone “I’ve promised never to hurt you, and I won’t, but I’ve discovered in the last few years that I like… co her than you’ve ever been — and in order for me to do that, you’ll have to relinquish your control to me ”
“And if I don’t?” she asked, slightly out of breath
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A saze His lifestyle excited her She wanted him to own her — pleasure her — make her scream She’d also rather suffer the tortures of hell than admit to it
“Then I’ll still take control — I’ll still find great pleasure…but you won’t ”
As Ari’s eyes widened, Rafe wondered how ht, loved the chance to battle her What he didn’t like ithholding pleasure froht him — and the feho had, had done so only once When they defied him, he easily walked away
Ari was a first for him in many respects He didn’t want to leave her unsatisfied He loved the way her face glowed as she cried out his na manhood Her response to him was so spontaneous and real that it sent hi realm of desire
He wanted her to fight hi from her But they’d discuss that more when the time presented itself
“I won’t throw everything at you at once, Ari I’m not the monster you think I am I’ve been open and honest about what I expect I’ you will later feel shame over If you can’t live with this, then we really have nothing else to discuss ”
Challenging hi a complete lack of respect for him? That he wouldn’t tolerate He knew they were compatible, as they’d already had better sex than he could reet over her preconceived notions of right and wrong
Sex
was about pleasure, not love The sooner she accepted that fact, the better off the two of them would be
“I’ive it a try, Rafe ” At least she was no longer fighting his orders on how to address him He loved the sound of his first name on her lips
“Fine We have gone over ehtened out next week, and my expectations for you sexually Of course, as soon as we return, you willfor you ”
“Why can’t I just stay at my mother’s? She needs someone to take care of her until she’s healed fully I can still be at your beck and call, and meet you at the condo ”
“No This isn’t up for discussion I’ll have a care provider for yourhappens to her, I won’t keep you away — but I want you in that condo Fas, and I don’t want her with you when I speak to you on the phone I also want you available toYou will stay where I want you ”
Rafe waited as she considered his words He knew she was trying to decide what to say next, but his teenerous in his cos without questions or objections; it would be a good test of as to come
“Fine, but if it ever gets to the point that I can’t take it, then I walk Also, I want there to be a time frame for my prison sentence with you — I’d say three months is sufficient ”
They were now in the air, but the seat belt signs weren’t off yet Rafe didn’t care She had a way of pushing him further than she should be allowed to He swiftly unbuckled and stood before her, delighting in the quick intake of her breath and the way her pulse quickened as he grabbed her wrist
“If you want this to feel like a prison, I canyou to ers caressed the s before her, he leaned in, bringing his mouth to her ear
“Don’t pretend you aren’t getting wet right this minute I already know your body, knohat as — and I a in ht out that door You , and you may even despise the power I hold over you — but you don’t hate the act of sex with me ”